Yes, I buy Collectible Cars

___I find that many people look through my website trying to determine if the cars they have in their attic are worth anything. The cars I have on this web site are just a small sampling of what I sell. I usually run more than 100 cars a week on eBay auctions (click here to see my current auctions; you don't have to be signed up with ebay to look at the listings).
___So yes, I do buy cars. Generally in groups, rarely one at a time. Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Johnny Lightnings, and others. Naturally I'm here to resell the cars I buy and hopefully make a little money while doing it. I base the amounts I'm willing to pay for a collection on both the "book values" and what I have obtained them for in the past at auctions.

___If you're looking to find out what your cars are worth, remember, as they say on the Antiques Road Show, condition is everything. Even a tiny chip can knock a car out of the "mint condition" category into the next level down. If you take the time to look at some of the cars on this site you'll find that I try to be very honest about the condition of each car and provide close-up photos of them as well (usually both sides). I want my buyers to know what they're getting and to be happy with their purchases.

___Ebay has changed the market as well. Why? Because everyone has been cleaning out their attics and trying to sell them on Ebay. There's just too many of them out there. Truly rare versions will pull more money but your common ones have come down some in value in the last couple of years.
___The prices I list on my web site are based both on book value and my auction experience with the condition factored in. Bear in mind that some of the cars listed do not sell. After a car has sat on my web site for some time, I'll pull it off the web site, put it on Ebay, and hope the bidding goes above my cost. Sometimes they do, sometimes not, and once in a while they go for more than I had them listed for.

___When I'm reviewing a collection to buy, I look them over to determine what is the highest price I would bid for them if I was buying them at auction. That amount is what I'd offer to you for yours. Sometimes I get outbid at auctions, quite often I win them, and occasionally I get them for less than I was willing to pay simply because no one bid against me. By selling them direct to me, you'd get at least my highest amount. I'm very candid and not here to play games with values. My feelings won't be hurt if you don't want to sell them to me; Please, don't have your feelings bothered if what I offer isn't what you had hoped.
___If you're looking to sell them yourself, Ebay is the best place to do that. It can be a pain getting pictures posted and collecting money, etc., but it's your best way of selling them yourself. Selling to me at least saves you time; I pay quickly, and I don't whine about what I bought.

___I don't do evaluations of individual cars. There are plenty of books out there to help you with that. A good author for some is Charlie Mack. You can probably get his books through Amazon.com (just search by Authors) or there is a good web site with direct links to his stuff: http://www.mboxcommunity.com/.

___If you want a quote from me, I need a list and some decent pictures of what you have (pictures can be sent either via e-mail or by snail mail to the address at the bottom of this page). If you don't have a list or know what they are send some decent pictures of them in groups. Pictures need to be clear enough for me to see what they are, if they are missing parts, and what type of wheels they have. Shoot a couple shots of them in small groups from left front corner angle and right rear corner angle. I'll be perfectly candid (trying not to be brutal) and let you know exactly what I'd give you for them.

___I'm currently working on a tip sheet for selling on Ebay. With over 5,000 auction sales and 400 auctions purchases I have figured out a lot of things that can help get more money for your items, as well as tips for getting good pictures. If you'd be interested in obtaining that tip sheet when it's completed, e-mail me and I'll let you know when it's ready.

___So, with all of that being said, thank you for taking the time to visit Fotrek. It doesn't matter if you're seeking to sell, seeking to buy, or just reminiscing about those toys you should have kept (that's what got me back into it). I hope you have some fun.